Jason Boltus: E8 Life After the Game
The Empire 8 is proud of all former student-athletes, and in recognition of their accomplishments after their playing days, we launched #E8 Life After the Game, a conference version of
NCAA Life After the Game.
Former Hartwick quarterback
Jason Boltus '09 continues to prove he has what it takes to be a champion as he most recently helped the National Arena League’s (NAL) Jacksonville Sharks to a Championship on July 10, 2017.
Boltus attended University of Albany after high school, where he red-shirted as a true freshman and then transferred to Hartwick where he began to make a name for himself. The 2005-2008 quarterback helped the Hawks to their first Empire 8 Conference title and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2007. He garnered a multitude of honors in his four years at Hartwick, including earning the 2007 Melberger Award as the top football player in Division III, and being selected as a Gagliardi Trophy finalist twice.
Boltus ranks third all-time in Division III history with 14,231 career yards. He threw for 13,276 yards and 134 career touchdowns at Hartwick.
Following his playing days at Hartwick, Boltus was invited to the National Football League's Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, IN. He has played professionally in the Canadian Football League, the Arena Football League and the NAL.
In the Jacksonville Shark’s NAL title game Boltus took over in the second half due to an injury to the starter. His first two drives in the game ended in touchdowns which helped the Sharks defeat the Columbus Lions 27-21in the inaugural NAL Championship
Winning a Championship wasn’t his only focus. He spends most of his time coaching at Ocoee High School in Ocoee, Florida. It is there where he is able to educate young minds on the sport that he is so passionate about.
Millions of former NCAA student-athletes are making positive impacts across the globe on a daily basis with many crediting their success to their student-athlete academic and athletic experiences.
Let’s take a closer look at the story of former #E8 student-athlete Jason Boltus.
What was your major at Hartwick? Pre-med/Biology
What was most memorable to you about your experience at Hartwick?
When Hartwick clinched its piece of the E8 title by winning the highest-scoring game in NCAA D-III history _ a 72-70 quadruple-overtime win at Utica _ on the last day of the 2007 regular season.
What would you say were your greatest athletic and academic accomplishment during your time at Hartwick? My biggest athletic accomplishment was the Melberger award. It is an individual award but it would have never been possible without my teammates. And academically I am proud of the great education I received at Hartwick and graduating above a 3.0 grade point average.
When you hear “Hartwick” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Family.
What advice would you give to current student-athletes? Embrace the moment. Your collegeiate playing days go by in the blink of an eye and then the real world hits you. College is a precious time where you meet your best friends and they become your family.
What do you do in your spare time? I don’t have a lot of spare time but I really enjoy training players and athletes and weight lifting.
Name something on your bucket list? Skydiving.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite band/musician: Country – Luke Bryant
Favorite TV show: Prison Break
Favorite place to visit: My parent’s house or my in-law’s house
Can’t live without: My wife and my dogs
Pet Peeve: people being late